ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND — The fishing boat departed from Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island on Friday. Savoonga is a Siberian Yupik village of approximately 800 people located on the northern coast of St. Lawrence Island.

The boat was expected to return to St. Lawrence Island by 3 a.m. on Sunday. Alaska State Troopers received a notification of the overdue boat around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Alaska State Troopers reported the three people missing at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday after the boat was confirmed overdue. The U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search early Monday morning after weather and poor visibility prevented earlier operations.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew located the overturned boat and the teenager clinging to it at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday. The Coast Guard aircrew deployed a life raft and survival equipment to the teenager.

The Coast Guard aircrew coordinated with the motor vessel Northwest Explorer to rescue the survivor. The Northwest Explorer is a 162-foot fishing vessel that was conducting federal surveys at the time of the rescue.

The Northwest Explorer recovered the survivor and the bodies of the two deceased boaters from the water. The survivor and the deceased were transported to Nome, Alaska.

The survivor was experiencing symptoms of hypothermia when rescued. According to adn.com, the U.S. Coast Guard stated that a 15-year-old survivor was rescued from the overturned skiff experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, and two others were recovered from the water unresponsive. Two other boaters were found dead and recovered from the water.

Parker's older brother was captaining the boat at the time of the capsizing. He leaves behind two children.

Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard's Arctic District, issued a statement regarding the incident. "Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic loss of these two mariners," Little said. "We are grateful for the incredible efforts of the motor vessel Northwest Explorer, Federal, State, Village first responders and mission partners who assisted in the effort that resulted in a life saved," he added.

Adam White, captain of the Northwest Explorer, commented on the survivor's condition. "That is one remarkably tough kid, is all I can say," White said.

Why It Matters

The incident occurred in remote waters where St. Lawrence Island is located just over 160 miles west of Nome and within about 40 miles of Russia. The successful rescue of the teenager involved coordination between federal air assets and a commercial vessel conducting federal surveys.

What's New

Additional reporting identified the survivor as Derek Parker and noted that his mother stated he survived for days without food or water. Further details revealed that Parker's older brother was captaining the boat at the time of the capsizing and leaves behind two children.

The report also specified that a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew located the overturned boat and the teenager clinging to it at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard stated that the survivor was rescued experiencing symptoms of hypothermia while two others were recovered unresponsive. The Northwest Explorer, which assisted in the rescue, is a 162-foot fishing vessel conducting federal surveys. Savoonga was described as a village of approximately 800 people on the northern coast of St. Lawrence Island.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the geographic context of St. Lawrence Island. The U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue report states that an 18-foot fishing boat capsized in the Bering Sea about 4 miles off the coast of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Newsdata states that St. Lawrence Island is located just over 160 miles west of Nome and within about 40 miles of Russia.